Potomac by Seven!

22 February 1986

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Three weeks after a 4th place finish in the Richelieu Guineas, Potomac was sent out odds-on favourite for the Cape Derby, firming to 6/10 before the off. A light drizzle had softened the going and although it was a slowish run race and he beat little of consequence, Potomac had the field at his mercy. Sitting just off the pace until they turned into the straight, he sprinted away to win by 7 lengths.

Potomac

POTOMAC (ARG) (1982c, Liloy – Pierina by Martinet). Bred in Argentina by Haras El Turf, Potomac is a son of French Gr2 winner Liloy. Exported to Argentina, Liloy made his mark as sire of champions and Argentina and South Africa (incl Prontisimo and Ecurie), which led to him being sent to the USA, where he sired G1 winners. Following eight seasons in USA, Liloy ended his stud career in South Africa, by which time his fertility had seriously declined.
Potomac, a strongly made, attractive individual, is from Liloy’s fifth (and final) Argentine crop. Sold privately as a yearling and imported to South Africa, Potomac raced for the partnership of Des Scott, Luke Bailes and Laurie Jaffee, trained by Terrance Millard. A lazy worker at home, Potomac was equipped with blinkers throughout his career. He proved himself a highclass performer at 2, winning two stakes races, then really came into his own as a 3yo. He won the Cape Derby and SA Derby in successive starts, and finished the season with a hard-fought victory over Model Man in the SA 2000. Subsequently reported to have contracted a virus, which caused him to miss the Natal Derby and Rothmans July handicap. He was voted Champion 3yo Colt, but did not regain his best form at 4, in a season affected by the equine flu which swept the country.
Potomac was re-exported to his native country for stud duties. With foreign currency in short supply in Argentina at the time, the deal was done as a swop: Potomac in exchange for yearlings, which included subsequent Champion 3yo and Horse of the Year Ilustrador.
Potomac sired five crops in Argentina (between 1990 to 1994), without making an impression. A half sister to Potomac, 2-time winner Martineta (Farnesio), is dam of Gr1 Allan Robertson placed Gr3 winner Marquetta (Al Mufti), who in turn is dam of Gr2 Emerald Cup winner Alimony (Alami).
Legacy: Gr1 Cape Derby, Gr1 SA Derby, Gr1 SA 2000; Champion 3yo Colt